Imaging the endometrioma and mature cystic teratoma

Dr. Ozcan is Assistant Professor and Associate Program Director, Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, at the University of Florida College of Medicine–Jacksonville.

Dr. Kaunitz is University of Florida Research Foundation Professor and Associate Chairman, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, at the University of Florida College of Medicine–Jacksonville. Dr. Kaunitz serves on the OBG Management Board of Editors.

The authors report no financial relationships relevant to this article.

A 25-year-old patient presents with pelvic pain and dyspareunia. A 19-year-old patient with a history of ovarian cystectomy for dermoid cyst reports pelvic pain. These authors provide guidance for imaging the root cause in these, and other, cases.

The preferred imaging method to evaluate the majority of adnexal cysts is ultrasonography, which can help characterize the cyst type. Common benign adnexal cyst types include simple, hemorrhagic, endometrioma, and mature teratoma (dermoid cyst). In this part 2 of a 4-part series on cystic adnexal pathology, we focus on imaging signs for, and follow-up of, endometriomas and mature teratomas.

Endometriomas

Endometriomas are common, typically benign, cysts that produce homogenous, low-level internal echoes and a “ground glass” appearance on ultrasonography. No internal flow is apparent on color Doppler. The presence of tiny echogenic wall foci can distinguish an endometrioma from a hemorrhagic cyst.

Rarely, endometriomas may undergo malignant transformation. Usually this occurs with cysts greater than 9 cm and in patients aged 45 years or older. A malignancy often exhibits rapid growth or the development of a solid nodule with flow on color Doppler.

Management

Although surgery remains the first-line management for women with symptomatic or enlarging endometriomas, there appears to be a role for sonographic observation, with continuous progestational treatment, in women with small (< 5 cm) asymptomatic endometriomas.

Short-interval follow-up (6 to 12 weeks) in reproductive-aged women to ensure acute hemorrhagic cysts are not mistaken for endometriomas

If not removed surgically, sonographic follow-up is recommended, with frequency of follow up based on patient age and symptoms and cyst size and characteristics.

In FIGURES 1 through 11 (slides of image collections), we present several cases, including one of a 25-year-old patient presenting with pelvic pain and dyspareunia who was later found to have bilateral endometriomas.

Rarely, dermoid cysts may undergo malignant transformation. Usually this occurs in cysts greater than 10 cm and in patients aged 50 years or older. Internal flow on color Doppler, branching, or invasion into adjacent structures can indicate malignancy.

Management

The traditional treatment for dermoid cysts is surgical. However, given the ability for accurate diagnosis with vaginal ultrasonography, there appears to be a role for sonographic observation in asymptomatic women with small dermoids.2

If the cyst is not surgically removed, the Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound 2010 Consensus Conference Statement recommended initial sonographic follow up at no more than 6 months to 1 year to ensure no change in size or internal architecture.1

In FIGURES 12 through 24 below (slides of image collections), we offer imaging from the case presentation and follow-up of a 19-year-old patient with pelvic pain who has a history of ovarian cystectomy for dermoid cyst, as well as 6 additional case illustrations.

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